FARMINGTON — The audience at the annual ECU Heat Share Benefit Christmas concert slated for Tuesday, Dec. 4, at Old South Congregational Church, 235 Main St., will be in for a very special evening with one of Nova Scotia’s award winning bands, Coig, at the helm.

Coig’s music is a unique combination of influences that could only come from these four players. It’s traditional, but it’ll be performed in a lot of non-traditional ways.

“We all come from sort of a traditional background, but then we have different influences that we’re interested in,” explains fiddler and singer Rachel Davis.

With the release of the new album “Rove,” Nova Scotia’s Coig has cemented its status as one of today’s most exciting new North American Celtic groups. With a combined total of more than 30 group and solo awards and nominations, the four members of the band are already recognized as major stars of the Celtic world. 

The Rev. Susan Crane shared some start statistics from 2017 ECU Heat Share benefit. Donations received from ECU Heat Sponsors were $3,500, and $4,261 was collected on the concert night totaling $7,761, which qualified the program to receive the Sandy River Charitable Foundation Matching Grant of $5,000. The ECU Heat Share Benefit Christmas Concert was the primary fundraiser for 2017 raising a grand total of $12,761.

Six-hundred forty-nine residents in 296 Franklin County households took part in the ECU Heat “50 for $50” program. Most contributed $50 toward the cost of a 50 gallon delivery of oil, kerosene or propane. Those who use pellets or firewood as their primary source of heat received either a ton of pellets or a cord of firewood. $14,300 was collected in $50 shares. ECU Heat paid out $29,335.70 for those participating in the program.

Crane stated that the Sandy River Charitable Foundation has approved a $5,000 matching grant for the 2018-2019 heating season. The first deliveries began on Nov. 1. With the anticipated increase in the cost of oil this heating season, she expects that more families will be needing the extra help that the ECU Heat program offers.

Doors to the concert will open at 6 p.m. with a jam session kicking off at 6:15 p.m. and concert to follow at 7 p.m. Admission is $20 for adults, and $10 or $5 for students. Ticket reservations are recommended by calling 207-491-5919.

Donations will be accepted to benefit the local fuel assistance fund, ECU Heat Share. Refreshments will be available during intermission.

Coig